The Pantheon is an adjective understood as temple consecrated to all gods is a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) as a temple to all the Gods, and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD. The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft). It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda."The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza Della Rotunda.
Some History behind the Pantheon
The Pantheon and the Fontana del Pantheon.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Actium (31 BC), Marcus Agrippa built and dedicated the original Pantheon during his third consulship (27 BC). Located in the Campus Martius, at the time of its construction, the area of the Pantheon was on the outskirts of Rome, and the area had a rural appearance. Under the Roman Republic the Campus Martius had served as a gathering place for elections and the army. However, under Augustus and the new Principate both institutions were deemed to be unnecessary within the city. The construction of the Pantheon was part of a program of construction that was undertaken by Augustus Caesar and his supporters. They built more than twenty structures on the Campus Martius, including the Baths of Agrippa and the Saepta Julia It had long been thought that the current building was built by Agrippa, with later alterations undertaken, and this was in part because of the inscription on the front of the temple which reads: M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT Or in full meaning in English: "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, made this building when consul for the third time." However, archaeological excavations have shown that the Pantheon of Agrippa had been completely destroyed except for the façade, and Emperor Hadrian was responsible for rebuilding the Pantheon on the site of Agrippa's original temple. There had been two earlier buildings on the same spot, for which the new Pantheon was a replacement. The form of Agrippa's Pantheon is debated. As a result of excavations in the late 19th century, archaeologist Rodolfo Luciano concluded that Agrippa's Pantheon was oriented so that it faced south, in contrast with the current layout that faces North, and that it had a shortened T-shaped plan with the entrance at the base of the "T". This description was widely accepted until the late 20th century. More recent archaeological diggings suggest that the building might have taken a different form. Agrippa's Pantheon might have had a circular form with a triangular porch, and it might have also faced north, much like the later re-buildings.It was decorated with caryatids and pediment sculpture commissioned from Diogenes of Athens, whose work has either been lost or not securely identified as such. The Augustan Pantheon was destroyed along with other building s in a huge fire in 80. Domitian rebuilt the Pantheon, which burned again in 1110. Not long after the second fire, construction started again, according to a recent re-evaluation of the bricks dated with manufactured stamps. Therefore, the design of the building should not be credited to Hadrian or his architects. Instead, it should belong to Trajan's architect Apollodorus of Damascus.
The Pantheon was created under Marcus Agrippa during his third consulship around 27 BC. It is a temple to all Gods.
This is the Oculus inside the Pantheon. The concrete for the Coffered dome was poured in moulds, probably mounted on temporary scaffolding. It is the main source of natural light.
Marcus Agrippa was a Roman statesman and general. He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus and father-in-law of the Emperor Tiberus, maternal grandfather of the Emperor Caligula, and maternal great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero. He was responsible for most of Octavian’s military victories, most notably winning the naval Battle of Actium against the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The pantheon was sponsored by him during his third reign.
This is Hadrian. He helped rebuild the Pantheon around 126 AD. He is often given the credit, when it was really Trajan's architect Apollodorus of Damascus (who is featured to the right).
Architectural style: Ancient Roman Architecture
The Pantheon is the best preserved building from ancient Rome, and was completed in c. 125 CE in the reign of Hadrian. Its magnificent dome is a lasting testimony to the genius of Roman architects and as the building stands virtually intact it offers a unique opportunity for the modern visitor to step back 2,000 years and experience the glory that was Rome. The Pantheonis a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome, and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD. The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening oculus to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same. It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotond.The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda.
Pantheon Today
Plenty of spectacles, history in Rome
BY JOSHUA TRUDELL, FOR THE EXPRESS-NEWS : APRIL 18, 2014
ROME — Above, the crowd buzzes in anticipation. Below, in the spaces where men and lions prepared to do battle, the buzz is dampened by moss on the stone columns and grass growing from ground fertilized with blood. The Colosseum has always been a place for “bloody spectacles,” said our guide, Camilla Verdacchi, who led us to the basement of the great stadium, where we could look up at the crowd above. “It's really incredible how many people died here,” she said. “It was not the circus. It was not the theater — it was the amphitheater, a place for bloody spectacles.” Rome has been home to spectacles for thousands of years, ranging from papal processions in the Vatican to parades through the Forum. We explored these sights for five days, and could have stayed 50 days without seeing them all. But not every historic site is one of spectacle. Motoring through some narrow back streets on a car tour, we came to a nondescript wide spot, filled with tiny cars and surrounded by apartment buildings. This, our guide tells us, is where Pompey's Theater was, which once housed the Roman Senate. This is where Julius Caesar was killed. Spectacles aside, buzzing through Rome felt like being part of a frenetic hive — cars, motorcycles and trucks constantly zipped past landmarks on streets once used by chariots. History is on every corner. From our hotel window, we could see the ancient wall that once surrounded the city and a huge bust of a Byzantine Empire general. As first-time visitors to Rome, we were awed by the size the ancients managed to capture. The Colosseum's three decks once held between 50,000 and 80,000 people. When we took a tour of it, it seemed as if nearly that many were lined up to crowd into the bowl. It was one area where it was worth it to spend more for tours that bypassed the lines. The Pantheon didn't have a line — in fact, we stumbled on it nearly by accident. Nestled between buildings, with only a few signs to it in the surrounding streets, the majestic temple is an amazing sight. Walking in, the walls and floor glow from the light coming in through the oculus at the top of the 142-foot dome. Paintings and statutes line the walls. The pagan temple was given to the Christians in the seventh century by a Roman emperor, which saved it from being pillaged as the Colosseum and other historic sites were by voracious builders. Seeing the building still intact helped us picture what it was like when Rome was filled with such buildings. It was preserved with the help of the Catholic Church— ironically, many of the other treasures that were torn down were used to build churches, including the center of Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica. Entering the Vatican didn't require showing a passport, but it certainly felt like entering a different country. A huge wall separates it from Rome as you approach the doorway, and hustlers lined the street offering souvenirs. The solemnity and history of St. Peter's dwarfs any hucksterism on the street, however. Just a few steps in, you can stand where Charlemagne was crowned head of the Holy Roman Empire. Stand in that spot and turn, and there's Michelangelo's Pieta. Climbing to the top of the basilica involved several narrow, winding staircases, but the view from the top was worth the climb as the late afternoon sun lit up the surrounding city during rush hour. The sense of grandeur around Roman life continued as we walked around the city in the evening, looking for places to take some night photos. As the sun set behind Castel Saint' Angelo, a huge castle built by Emperor Hadrian that is now a museum, boys played soccer on the cobblestones near the Tiber River. In squares around the city, people were outside every evening, laughing and joking with friends or holding hands with loved ones while watching fountains. Many of these squares were filled with restaurants, and with all the walking we did, we burned a lot of calories. However, we found many places that earned Rome's reputation as a haven for foodies. The highlight was at Maccheroni, not far from the Pantheon, where an ambrosial gnocchi greeted us. We found fine pasta and a wine cellar built before the Colosseum at Spirito DiVino, which resulted in a late night and lots of laughs as we chatted with fellow travelers. Quick stops during our daily travels found us snacking on margherita pizza regularly, and it was always a good choice. Being surrounded by spectacle occasionally rubs off, as we noticed not long after arriving via train from Venice. As we strolled by the Trevi Fountain, pistachio gelato in hand, tourists vogued as they tossed coins in with vows to return. But when in Rome, you do as they do. As we turned our backs to the fountain and threw coins over our shoulders, we both knew we'll be back. Who can resist a spectacle like this?
Here is a video of what the Pantheon looks like, It is a cool video because it shows fascinating snapshots and pictures of things that you can't see from the outside. It is a great video. I hope you enjoy it:
NICE!!!
The Pantheon - Olivia Lanham
The Pantheon is an adjective understood as temple consecrated to all gods is a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) as a temple to all the Gods, and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD.
The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft).
It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda."The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza Della Rotunda.
Some History behind the Pantheon
The Pantheon and the Fontana del Pantheon.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Actium (31 BC), Marcus Agrippa built and dedicated the original Pantheon during his third consulship (27 BC). Located in the Campus Martius, at the time of its construction, the area of the Pantheon was on the outskirts of Rome, and the area had a rural appearance. Under the Roman Republic the Campus Martius had served as a gathering place for elections and the army. However, under Augustus and the new Principate both institutions were deemed to be unnecessary within the city.
The construction of the Pantheon was part of a program of construction that was undertaken by Augustus Caesar and his supporters. They built more than twenty structures on the Campus Martius, including the Baths of Agrippa and the Saepta Julia It had long been thought that the current building was built by Agrippa, with later alterations undertaken, and this was in part because of the inscription on the front of the temple which reads: M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Or in full meaning in English: "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, made this building when consul for the third time." However, archaeological excavations have shown that the Pantheon of Agrippa had been completely destroyed except for the façade, and Emperor Hadrian was responsible for rebuilding the Pantheon on the site of Agrippa's original temple. There had been two earlier buildings on the same spot, for which the new Pantheon was a replacement.
The form of Agrippa's Pantheon is debated. As a result of excavations in the late 19th century, archaeologist Rodolfo Luciano concluded that Agrippa's Pantheon was oriented so that it faced south, in contrast with the current layout that faces North, and that it had a shortened T-shaped plan with the entrance at the base of the "T". This description was widely accepted until the late 20th century. More recent archaeological diggings suggest that the building might have taken a different form. Agrippa's Pantheon might have had a circular form with a triangular porch, and it might have also faced north, much like the later re-buildings.It was decorated with caryatids and pediment sculpture commissioned from Diogenes of Athens, whose work has either been lost or not securely identified as such.
The Augustan Pantheon was destroyed along with other building s in a huge fire in 80. Domitian rebuilt the Pantheon, which burned again in 1110. Not long after the second fire, construction started again, according to a recent re-evaluation of the bricks dated with manufactured stamps. Therefore, the design of the building should not be credited to Hadrian or his architects. Instead, it should belong to Trajan's architect Apollodorus of Damascus.
The Pantheon was created under Marcus Agrippa during his third consulship around 27 BC. It is a temple to all Gods.
This is the Oculus inside the Pantheon. The concrete for the Coffered dome was poured in moulds, probably mounted on temporary scaffolding. It is the main source of natural light.
Marcus Agrippa was a Roman statesman and general. He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus and father-in-law of the Emperor Tiberus, maternal grandfather of the Emperor Caligula, and maternal great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero. He was responsible for most of Octavian’s military victories, most notably winning the naval Battle of Actium against the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The pantheon was sponsored by him during his third reign.
This is Hadrian. He helped rebuild the Pantheon around 126 AD. He is often given the credit, when it was really Trajan's architect
Apollodorus of Damascus (who is featured to the right).
Architectural style: Ancient Roman Architecture
The Pantheon is the best preserved building from ancient Rome, and was completed in c. 125 CE in the reign of Hadrian. Its magnificent dome is a lasting testimony to the genius of Roman architects and as the building stands virtually intact it offers a unique opportunity for the modern visitor to step back 2,000 years and experience the glory that was Rome.
The Pantheonis a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome, and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD.
The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening oculus to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same.
It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotond.The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda.
Pantheon Today
Plenty of spectacles, history in Rome
BY JOSHUA TRUDELL, FOR THE EXPRESS-NEWS : APRIL 18, 2014
ROME — Above, the crowd buzzes in anticipation.
Below, in the spaces where men and lions prepared to do battle, the buzz is dampened by moss on the stone columns and grass growing from ground fertilized with blood.
The Colosseum has always been a place for “bloody spectacles,” said our guide, Camilla Verdacchi, who led us to the basement of the great stadium, where we could look up at the crowd above.
“It's really incredible how many people died here,” she said. “It was not the circus. It was not the theater — it was the amphitheater, a place for bloody spectacles.”
Rome has been home to spectacles for thousands of years, ranging from papal processions in the Vatican to parades through the Forum. We explored these sights for five days, and could have stayed 50 days without seeing them all.
But not every historic site is one of spectacle.
Motoring through some narrow back streets on a car tour, we came to a nondescript wide spot, filled with tiny cars and surrounded by apartment buildings.
This, our guide tells us, is where Pompey's Theater was, which once housed the Roman Senate. This is where Julius Caesar was killed.
Spectacles aside, buzzing through Rome felt like being part of a frenetic hive — cars, motorcycles and trucks constantly zipped past landmarks on streets once used by chariots.
History is on every corner. From our hotel window, we could see the ancient wall that once surrounded the city and a huge bust of a Byzantine Empire general.
As first-time visitors to Rome, we were awed by the size the ancients managed to capture. The Colosseum's three decks once held between 50,000 and 80,000 people.
When we took a tour of it, it seemed as if nearly that many were lined up to crowd into the bowl. It was one area where it was worth it to spend more for tours that bypassed the lines.
The Pantheon didn't have a line — in fact, we stumbled on it nearly by accident. Nestled between buildings, with only a few signs to it in the surrounding streets, the majestic temple is an amazing sight.
Walking in, the walls and floor glow from the light coming in through the oculus at the top of the 142-foot dome. Paintings and statutes line the walls.
The pagan temple was given to the Christians in the seventh century by a Roman emperor, which saved it from being pillaged as the Colosseum and other historic sites were by voracious builders.
Seeing the building still intact helped us picture what it was like when Rome was filled with such buildings.
It was preserved with the help of the Catholic Church— ironically, many of the other treasures that were torn down were used to build churches, including the center of Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica.
Entering the Vatican didn't require showing a passport, but it certainly felt like entering a different country. A huge wall separates it from Rome as you approach the doorway, and hustlers lined the street offering souvenirs.
The solemnity and history of St. Peter's dwarfs any hucksterism on the street, however. Just a few steps in, you can stand where Charlemagne was crowned head of the Holy Roman Empire. Stand in that spot and turn, and there's Michelangelo's Pieta.
Climbing to the top of the basilica involved several narrow, winding staircases, but the view from the top was worth the climb as the late afternoon sun lit up the surrounding city during rush hour.
The sense of grandeur around Roman life continued as we walked around the city in the evening, looking for places to take some night photos.
As the sun set behind Castel Saint' Angelo, a huge castle built by Emperor Hadrian that is now a museum, boys played soccer on the cobblestones near the Tiber River.
In squares around the city, people were outside every evening, laughing and joking with friends or holding hands with loved ones while watching fountains.
Many of these squares were filled with restaurants, and with all the walking we did, we burned a lot of calories. However, we found many places that earned Rome's reputation as a haven for foodies.
The highlight was at Maccheroni, not far from the Pantheon, where an ambrosial gnocchi greeted us. We found fine pasta and a wine cellar built before the Colosseum at Spirito DiVino, which resulted in a late night and lots of laughs as we chatted with fellow travelers.
Quick stops during our daily travels found us snacking on margherita pizza regularly, and it was always a good choice.
Being surrounded by spectacle occasionally rubs off, as we noticed not long after arriving via train from Venice. As we strolled by the Trevi Fountain, pistachio gelato in hand, tourists vogued as they tossed coins in with vows to return.
But when in Rome, you do as they do. As we turned our backs to the fountain and threw coins over our shoulders, we both knew we'll be back.
Who can resist a spectacle like this?
Here is a video of what the Pantheon looks like, It is a cool video because it shows fascinating snapshots and pictures of things that you can't see from the outside. It is a great video. I hope you enjoy it: